I hope no-one objects if I post a 2nd image in this series, this time with the Dung Fly's mouthparts extended as eats its prey (it actually liquidizes and then 'drinks' the fly's insides - apologies to those who've just eaten ).
For those wondering about the colours of Dung Flies, this one is a female. They are greyish/green whereas the males are yellow and hairy.
Canon 30D with MPE-65 (at around 1.5x magnification)
f13, 1/160, diffused Speedlight on side bracket, handheld.
I think I must have unknowingly taken a male's pic the other day judging by your description. I've ordered a side bracket for my flash and, inspired by these gruesome shots, will try a bit harder to get some decent macros soon.
You're really getting the hang of using the flash at this magnification, the lighting looks very natural . I really had no idea that dung flies were predatory, did you see it capture it's prey?
Dan, unfortunately I didn't see it actually capture its prey. It was already firmly holding onto the smaller fly when I found them (as captured in my previous image).
Phantanstic shot Matt, incredible detail.
All sorts of insects are very interesting for me. But we can call us happy that these will not become as big as a Cocker Spaniel.
Have fun
Bertl
This set up obviously works well for you Matt, another great shot with lots of detail, and pin sharp too. What sort of working distance do you get for a shot like this?
Greg, working distance isn't the forte of the MPE-65 This was taken at around 1.5x magnification so working distance would have been between 3 and 4 inches.
Another staggeringly good macro, Matt. If you hadn't put it in the techs, I would never have realised you were using flash. It really is impressive. anybody know what the little orange 'paddle' is between the thorax and the abdomen? Eric
Eric, I don't know what that orange bit is, but lots of flies seem to have it. I'll see if I can find out...
David, this was only taken at around 1.5x magnification so any macro lens can take images like this with a few extension tubes. The major advantage of the MPE-65 is that I can zoom rather than add rings to move from, say, 1x to 2x and also I can go up to 5x. The majority of my shots are probably taken at between 1x and 2x.
Isn't nature wonderful. It encompasses creatures from tiny organisms with fabulously complex gyroscopic flight controls to human beings capable of making anything fit what they want to believe! I don't think I would ever have known they existed (halteres that is) without seeing your pictures Matt. Wonderful creatures flies.
Thanks for the links David. Eric
Discussion
24 repliesFor those wondering about the colours of Dung Flies, this one is a female. They are greyish/green whereas the males are yellow and hairy.
Canon 30D with MPE-65 (at around 1.5x magnification)
f13, 1/160, diffused Speedlight on side bracket, handheld.
Matt
I think I must have unknowingly taken a male's pic the other day judging by your description. I've ordered a side bracket for my flash and, inspired by these gruesome shots, will try a bit harder to get some decent macros soon.
Tim
You're really getting the hang of using the flash at this magnification, the lighting looks very natural
Cheers,
Dan.
Mark
Dan, unfortunately I didn't see it actually capture its prey. It was already firmly holding onto the smaller fly when I found them (as captured in my previous image).
Matt
Brett
The detail is simply awesome! Fantastic macro work!
Super view into the miniature world
Alan
Dave
Robert
All sorts of insects are very interesting for me. But we can call us happy that these will not become as big as a Cocker Spaniel.
Have fun
Bertl
Greg
Greg, working distance isn't the forte of the MPE-65
Matt
Eric, I don't know what that orange bit is, but lots of flies seem to have it. I'll see if I can find out...
David, this was only taken at around 1.5x magnification so any macro lens can take images like this with a few extension tubes. The major advantage of the MPE-65 is that I can zoom rather than add rings to move from, say, 1x to 2x and also I can go up to 5x. The majority of my shots are probably taken at between 1x and 2x.
Matt
Major.
Wow I want one those lenses some great images you have captured with it.
Danny
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halteres from a Darwinian perspective
and for any Creationists
http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/1788
indicative of the Diptera ( flies, mosquitos, gnats)
Thanks for the links David.
Matt